Chaz Lanier is making a significant impact in his sole opportunity at the NCAA Tournament with Tennessee, a team he joined as a graduate transfer after four successful seasons at North Florida. A Tennessee native, Lanier returned home inspired by Dalton Knecht’s path to the NBA through the Volunteers. Now, ahead of their Midwest Region semifinal against Kentucky in Indianapolis, Lanier stands out as Tennessee’s leading 3-point shooter for a single season. In his debut at March Madness, Lanier has shined, scoring an average of 24.5 points in the first two games and sinking 10 out of 18 three-pointers. He surpassed Chris Lofton’s record with his 120th three-pointer, previously set at 118 during the 2007-08 season.
Expressing gratitude on social media, Lanier stated, “Blessed to be able to leave my mark on Tennessee Basketball… Thank you for all the support!! Let’s keep building!!” The Volunteers, who boast a 29-7 record, will rely on Lanier’s shooting skills to aim for their second consecutive Elite Eight and their program’s inaugural Final Four. With an average of 18.1 points per game, the 6-foot-5 guard is Tennessee’s top scorer. Senior point guard Zakai Zeigler praises Lanier’s confidence and reliability, saying, “You expect him to take those shots, and I tell him every time he shoots the ball, I think it’s going in. So if he misses, I want him to shoot the next one.”
Returning to his home state for his final season, Lanier has significantly developed both athletically and physically. With a 6-10 arm span, he can easily shoot over taller opponents. Collaborating with Tennessee’s training staff, he enhanced his vertical jump by over 2 1/2 inches and gained 12.9 pounds, now weighing in at 209 pounds. He holds the fifth position in the Southeastern Conference for points per game.
Lanier left a significant mark in the tournament’s opening game against Wofford, scoring 29 points — the third-highest by a Tennessee player in an NCAA Tournament win — and equaled the program’s NCAA single-game record with six 3-pointers. As he entered the second-round victory over UCLA at Rupp Arena, he ranked fourth in Division I with 116 made 3s and led Tennessee with 20 points, hitting 4 out of 5 from beyond the arc. Averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers per game, he leads the SEC in this category with a shooting percentage of 41% and 31.6 minutes per game. Only Johni Broome tops him in SEC field goals.
Coach Rick Barnes, who led Texas to a Final Four in 2003, emphasizes the importance of Lanier’s shooting capability. “I’m always wanting him to come off and shoot 3s, but I said, ‘You’ve got to do what you think,’ and he’s really comfortable at the mid-range as well,” Barnes remarks. Lanier has perfected his mid-range jumper, especially using screens from 6-10 Felix Okpara and others. Barnes credits Okpara for providing 14 screens in the game against Wofford, facilitating points for Lanier.
Barnes adds, “I think that Chaz probably leads the nation in shirts pulled out. His shirt tail is always out because he has learned to really cut, move, and he’s going to get down. They’re going to down him. And what that means is they’re going to try to face guard him and keep him from cutting to the ball. He’s learned how to handle that and he’s learned how to use it to his advantage.” In recent weeks, Lanier has improved significantly in understanding not only his defender but also identifying where Tennessee’s opponents are coming from when setting screens, allowing for more effective offensive plays.
Lanier has also dedicated effort to honing his defensive skills, seeking advice from senior guards Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler. Lanier’s success on the scoreboard provides a definitive boost to the team’s defense as well. Mashack acknowledges this, stating, “It definitely frees us up for getting a lot of energy on the defensive end, trying to create turnovers. But when he’s hot, you try to give him the basketball, and that’s kinda how you play. I think we did a good job of doing that.”
Coach Barnes is optimistic for Lanier’s continued growth and contribution. “He’s just getting started,” Barnes says. “You think about how much he’s improved this year and how much he’s really improved in the last month, it’s really pretty remarkable. It’s really been neat coaching him because we’ve expected a lot from him, and he’s come in and has been just a great teammate. He’s never made it about himself. … I think he’s done as good a job as any incoming player as a transfer.”